Alabama

Young fashion industry entrepreneurs from Mobile are an inspiration

View full sizeAmber Brown, 13, is a Dunbar Magnet School student whose jewelry line has taken off in the Mobile area. Brown and other Mobile natives serve as inspiration as they make their mark in the fashion industry on local and national levels. (Press-Register/John David Mercer)

There is nothing more encouraging than to meet a young entrepreneur who is so excited about life and her future endeavors that she pursues them passionately, even if she is only 13 years old.

The moment you meet Amber Brown, you know she’s got “it.” Maybe it’s her well-spoken, outgoing manner, which personifies someone way beyond the Dunbar Magnet School student’s years. Or perhaps it is the way she talks business — regarding her Amber Brown Jewelry Collection, her art and the desire to “ultimately be a famous attorney.”

“She’s been this way since she was a toddler,” said her mother, Pamela Brown.

“Always outgoing, creating something.”

The jewelry designer, poet, artist, singer and dancer showcased her jewelry line Sunday at an expo in Mobile.

“I am overwhelmed and happy that people love them so much,” Amber said. “I love wearing them, too, and I design them to coordinate with a lot of my outfits.”

The Amber Brown Collection consists of a variety of hoop earrings, from small to large, adorned with various trinkets like colored mesh balls, beads and other shapes.

“I first saw these earrings on television. Everyone was talking about them because the women in the ‘Basketball Wives’ television show was wearing them,” Amber said.

Brown’s collection features a trendy hoop adorned with the all-mesh balls that are currently an “it girl” favorite in Hollywood.

The baubles range in price from $15 to $40 a pair.

The teen’s mother said it all began after an out-of-town shopping trip to a craft supplier.

“I returned home with all these trinkets, having no idea what I was going to do with them. And Amber said she knew exactly what to do with all the accessories.”

In one night, The Amber Brown Collection was born.

“Amber showed the earrings to all her friends and everyone wanted to buy a pair.”

Dawn Bryant of Mobile says she saw the earrings after a Sunday church service and asked Brown if she could show them to friends by way of her Facebook page. Brown agreed.

“Everyone wanted to call and find out where they could get them. I just knew this kid was talented and others saw it too,” Bryant said.

In the Brown family, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Pamela Brown has been an independent fashion consultant for more than 10 years, selling clothing by appointment and during fashion parties at her home.

“I’m glad to see that Amber is interested in the business, and we are looking for a building to set up our boutique,” Brown said.

“That’s going to be great,” Amber said. “Because I am going to expand this line into bracelets and necklaces too. I have already had requests.”

Amber said she will never stop designing jewelry but hopes to pursue her other creative talents as well.

“All my teachers at Dunbar encourage me to keep creating in all aspects — my drawing, my poetry, my public speaking. I will never stop. I love Dunbar because it encourages my creativity.”

On Dec. 3, The Abba Shrine Temple in Mobile is hosting a Holiday Glitz Shopping Spree. Recent University of Alabama design grads Melissa Grimes of Mobile, April Moore of Birmingham and Courtni Tyre of Dothan will showcase their new Birmingham-based fashion line, called Three07.

It is a women’s contemporary clothing line with a target market of ages 18-30.

Grimes said that she and her partners were students of Anthony Williams, a former “Project Runway” contestant and also the well-known designer and owner of Leona, designed by Lauren Leonard. “When we graduated in 2007, we had a goal to one day design a line together,” Grimes said. “That is exactly what we have done.”

The young ladies debuted their line this fall. It was centered on the college “game day” idea. Check out their fashions at www.three07.com.

They showed this fall merchandise at the AmericasMart in Atlanta, and are excited to meet and greet customers in Mobile from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 3.

William Bradley

Mobile Fashion Week winning designer William Bradley (who is debuting his spring/summer collection at Private Gallery stores in Mobile and Birmingham) is competing for a red carpet spot at the Academy Awards.

Adrianna Papell of “E! Live from the Red Carpet” is using the power of social media to find America’s next great fashion designer. In October, the brand launched a nationwide call to action, and invited designers and aspiring designers to submit red carpet looks for the spring 2012 collection. The winner will be announced live on E!’s “Countdown to the Red Carpet Academy Awards” special on Feb. 26, 2012.